Community Corner

This past week, Naftali and Beth Bennett dedicated a new ambucycle to United Hatzalah in honor of the first yahrzeit of Naftali’s father, Dr. Allen J. Bennett. The ceremony was held at United Hatzalah Headquarters in Yerushalayim. They were joined by Dr. Bennett’s other children – Chayale Saibil, Rabbis Yossi, Yaakov and Mordechai Bennett – as well as his sister and brother-in-law, Suri and Michael Kest, and many of his grandchildren.

Chanukah was a bustle of activity throughout its eight glorious days. Our residents enjoyed the Yom Tov with Rabbi Zavel Pearlman, resident chaplain, and many family visits. The facility was decorated beautifully and was enjoyed by all. On the first night, we held our annual Chanukah party and menorah lighting with Rabbi Pearlman in the main floor synagogue. The festivities included entertainment, music, singing, and of course latkes and donuts as holiday treats. Mr. Izzy Root once again participated, distributing hats and scarves as gifts for our residents, a donation from the community. A menorah lighting took place each night with additional entertainment on the final night.

On Motza’ei Shabbos, Parshas MiKeitz, more than 300 friends and talmidim of Yeshiva Madreigas HaAdam assembled to celebrate their 24^th Annual Dinner in the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills. As always, the presentation and program were magnificent. A gala feast catered by Upper Crust, along with a marvelous sushi bar from our wonderful benefactor Kevin Cohnen, of Eden Wok of the Upper West Side, ensured that everyone had a wonderful and enjoyable malaveh malkah, which they enjoyed without delay, thanks to the tremendous courtesy that the Yeshiva of Central Queens showed in offering our guests the use of their parking lot.

Queens Borough President Richards convened his quarterly Hate Crimes Task Force on Thursday, December 14, continuing a critical, boroughwide conversation on how to keep our communities safe amid the rise of hate crimes in Queens and the city. “With hate of all kinds on the rise, it’s never been more important to live up to our name as the World’s Borough,” said Richards with efforts of the Task Force poised to ensure that Queens remains “that place where our diversity is our truest strength.”

“We have been in contact with the NYPD about an altercation yesterday that is being investigated by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force, after it resulted in a person’s vehicle being vandalized with a swastika.

The third night of Chanukah had a special buzz in the air. Hundreds of young men and women came to Cong. Bet El in Fresh Meadows to join a new and exciting community-wide initiative, “Chazaq Connections,” dedicated in memory of Imashalom bat Bitya.